PRIME Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Scholars Program

University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Sep 18, 2026

Ryan Paulus, DO
ryan_paulus@med.unc.edu

Kayla Bonnell
kayla_bonnell@med.unc.edu

This opportunity is a 9-month hybrid training experience designed to build durable point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) competence in family medicine and primary care. The program blends structured monthly virtual sessions, progressive hands-on workshops, asynchronous learning, image review with individualized faculty feedback, small-group mentorship, and formal competency assessment across Tier 1–5 applications of the Family Medicine POCUS Blueprint.

By the end of the program, each participant will:

• Demonstrate knowledge across Tier 1–5 applications by achieving a passing score on the CAMPUS Assessment
• Integrate POCUS into clinical reasoning by documenting and saving POCUS scans
• Increase scanning confidence by improving self-reported confidence from baseline, measured on a pre/post confidence survey administered at program start, completion, and several months after
• Increase and sustain scanning volume by reaching a set goal by end of the program and beyond the program
• Establish a POCUS billing protocol for at least one scan subtype

The in-person portion of the program will take place in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

The program is designed for practicing clinicians in family medicine and primary care, including:

• Physicians (MD/DO)
• Physician Associates/Assistants (PA)
• Nurse Practitioners (NP)

Applicants at all POCUS experience levels are welcome; no prior POCUS training is required.

Nationwide

The cost of the program is $4,750.

Enrollment is limited to 24 participants.

There are 18 scholarships available for rural and health center providers applying through the Rural Residency Planning and Development Technical Assistance Center (RRPD-TAC) or Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Technical Assistance Program (THCGME-TAC)

Participants will be eligible for AAFP Prescribed CME credits.

A link to the online application is available on the program website.

For rural and health center providers applying through the RRPD-TAC or THCGME-TAC, the application deadline is September 18 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

Educational Opportunities and Fellowships

Health workforce education and training · Nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses · Physician assistants · Physicians · Primary care